Addis Ababa The Highest capital of Africa

Addis Ababa, the Capital of modern Ethiopia, and gateway for most tourists, is the political and commercial heart of the Country. Now a city of 4 million people, it was founded by Emperor Menelik in 1887.

Addis Ababa is the country's commercial, manufacturing, and cultural center. It is the focus of a highway network, the site of an international airport, and the terminus of a railroad to the Gulf of Aden port of Djibouti.

In the city there are printing industries, and manufactures include footwear, clothing, asbestos and metal products, processed foods, cement, and plywood. Flourishing handicraft industries produce leather, metal, and textile goods, which are traded along with the regional agricultural produce, such as coffee, tobacco, and dairy items, in the vast open-air market known as the Mercato, on the W side of the city.

Addis Ababa is a sprawling city, well wooded, especially with eucalyptus trees, and crossed by broad avenues. Modern, multistoried buildings sit side by side with traditional one- and two story structures and open spaces. Its high elevation gives the city a mild, pleasant climate. The city is the seat of Addis Ababa University (1950), schools of music and art, and several research institutes. As headquarters of the Organization of African Unity and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the city is the scene of many international conferences. Of note in the city are the octagon-shaped Saint George Coptic Christian Cathedral (1896), the modern Africa Hall with its dramatic stained-glass windows, and the Menelik II Palace, as well as several museums with collections of art, ethnology, and archaeology.

City picture

Trinity Cathedral

This big, sprawling, hospitable city is more than 2,200 meters high in the foothills of Mount Entoto. Modem buildings and wide open boulevards stand side by side with historic churches, palaces and monuments, as well as simple country-style huts.

The air is filled with the scent of flowers and eucalyptus trees, and the rich vibrancy of a city that is home to so many cultures.

.As a major international city, Addis Ababa offers a wide range of excellent hotel facilities, from luxury international hotels to a good number of mid-priced and budget accommodations. State of the art conference facilities attract numerous international meetings to Ethiopia.

The rich culture of Ethiopia, and its international links, have endowed the city with many fine restaurants and street side cafes. Nightlife, including many cinemas, theatres, casinos and bars, provides entertainment until the early hours.

Today, Addis Ababa is an up to date thriving city. Served by a modern airport at Bole, just 8 kilometers from the center, the city is linked by Ethiopian Airlines, and a large number of regional and international carriers, to Africa and the world.

Priests

The train service of the Addis Ababa/Djibouti Railroad terminates at the celebrated Addis Ababa Railway Station. A wide network of roads, most of them all-weather highways, link Addis Ababa with all the regional centers and most other towns in Ethiopia, as well as with Kenya, Djibouti and Eritrea . Bus services leave Addis Ababa daily for all regional centers, and most rural centers that have roads.

Things to see in Addis

	The Menelik Mausoleum Built in 1911, in the old Baata church, it serves as a tomb for emperors, princes and martyrs of freedom. Built to house the tomb of Emperor Menelik II it also includes the graves of members of his family and the Emperor Haile Selassie.
	St. Georges Cathedral Built in 1896 in the traditional octagonal shape by the Emperor Menelik II to commemorate his victory at Adwa, it is dedicated to the national saint of Ethiopia. The museum houses a wide collection of important religious paintings, crosses of many designs, historic books and parchments, and beautiful handicrafts. There are also fine examples of modern paintings by the famous Ethiopian artist Afewerke Tekle.
	The National Museum This famous museum, close to the University of Addis Ababa Graduate School, houses numerous antiquarian relics and archaeological artifacts showing the history of Ethiopia from prehistoric times to the modern day. Its most famous exhibit is the 3.5 million year old skeleton of Lucy

	Trinity Cathedral Trinity Cathedral was built in 1941, to a European design, in commemoration of Ethiopias liberation from Italian occupation.
	Ethnographic Museum The institute of Ethiopian studies was established in 1963 with three major components a research & publication unit, library and museum. The aim of the institute is to collect document, analyze & disseminate knowledge about languages, cultures & history of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is known as the cradle of man kind a cross road of cultures and civilizations. Ethiopia is also known as "a museum of nationalities". The museum, therefore, is shouldering a great responsibility of capturing the heritage of the past & the present. The main focus of the museum is on traditional art and cultural materials of nationalities. Fortunately enough, the museum is found in the old palace (Genete Leul means paradise of prince) of the late Emperor Haile Selassie for this the bed room that is situated on the 1^st floor reminds us once the building was a palace. The reception hall now hosts ethnographic items of more than eighty ethnic groups. It is divided into two parts. The 1^st part is an introductory part introducing the general picture of socio-economic conditions of the country. It displays tools of production and some techniques of craftsmen. The 2^nd part is an attempt to provide a quick visit through Ethiopia. Here, some assorted items from each administrative region are represented. Although the space in not enough to show the beauty and intensity of the cultural materials of the country, it creates a strong urge to know more about the country.
	The Jubilee Palace On Menelik II Avenue, this modern palace was completed to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I. The park is home to a collection of rare indigenous wildlife. Zoological Natural history Museum The only natural history museum in Ethiopia with exhibits including examples of most of our indigenous wildlife, often displayed in panoramas showing the relationship of the animals to their natural habitats.
	Mount Entoto Addis Ababa is built in the foothills of Mount Entoto, and the panorama from the peak (3,200m3, either by day or night, is a breathtaking spectacle. The Church of St Mary (1885) overlooks the entire city and the surrounding area. The Entoto Museum, with its historical exhibits is well worth a visit
	Zoological Natural History Museum This museum is located in the compound of Natural Science Faculty of Addis Ababa University. The idea of a museum displaying the whole range of biological materials was 1^st suggested to the ministry of education in 1952. The aims and function of the museum is to serve as a reference collection of animal species of Ethiopia for consultation by professional biologists interest on research in Ethiopian fauna; to under take research and to produce both scientific and popular publications on the Ethiopian fauna, including preparation of check lists, distribution of maps, etc. and to provide teaching collections as well as Zoological specimens both for students of biology in universities, schools and the public. The museum that exists today has been largely created during the past 18 years in an attempt to fulfill the above objectives. The creation of the museum has been make possible through the generosity of the African wildlife leadership foundation who provided a donation, of Swedish government who provided the invaluable services and through continued financial support from Addis Ababa University. The museum has six sections: - 1- Information section 4- Mammals section 2- Invertebrate section 5- Skins and head mount 3- Vertebrate section 6- Birds The museum now has a small collection, which include more than 1,100 species. The number of specimen is more than 3,500. _ about 20 species of Red sea corals. _ about 200 species of marine and fresh and fresh water mollusk. _ many species of insects, mostly moths and butterflies. _ about 52 species of fish. _ about 35 species of amphibians. _ about 35 species of lizards. _ about 50 species of snakes. _ about 450 species of birds. _ about 52 species of rodents. _ about 36 species of bats. _ about 20 species of carnivorous. _ about 22 species of undulated. _ about 8 species of primates. _ one species of insectivore. Some sections of the museum display panorama depicting the relationship of animals to their environments.

	The Church of St. George The church of St. George is a very traditionally structured building. Menelik II following his victory over the Italians at the Battle of Adwa built the octagonal church in 1896. St. George the dragon killer was the patron saint of soldiers and it is to him that the church is dedicated. In St. George church the most interesting thing is the artwork of both modern and traditional church painting. In the church premise, there is a bell tower & in it there is a permanent exhibition. It was established on 29^th of April 1990. The exhibits in the museum are varied. They include costumes of spiritual leaders & sacred rulers, crosses of different kinds, religious books and various works of arts & handicrafts. They throw light on the ancient history particularly on cultural trains of the country.
	Entoto Museum At the top of the rising slope of Entoto mountain range lies a site where Menelik II first established his capital. In the palace compound there is a church of St. Mary. The arctectural design and the inner wall paintings of the church are fascinating. Articles of historical significance donated by members of the royal families are exhibited in a small museum. This museum harbors articles of great quality & historical significance. The drum that announced the march to Adwa against the Italian invasion, the bed used by Menelik while he was in Ankober, ceremonial dresses of the king & the queen.